PHARMACY COUNCIL

THE PHARMACY COUNCIL OF TANZANIA

HANDBOOK OF

CODE OF ETHICS

CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

2006
FOR

PHARMACEUTICAL PERSONNEL

JUNE 2015

CODE
S. OF
L. P.ETHICS
31818, EPIFOR PHARMACEUTICAL
Mabibo, Off Mandela Road, DarPERSONNELS
es Salaam,
Tel: +255-22-2451007, Fax: +255-222451007, Website: www.pctz.or.tz
Email: msajili@ pctz.or.tz
PRE-AMBL
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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank all the stakeholders and Secretariat of the Pharmacy Council for
the development of this Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

A code of Ethics and Professional Conduct has been developed to set principles to all
pharmaceutical professionals who are practicing in Tanzania. A code is intended to be a
central guide and reference for uses in support the day - to - day decision making while
link them with standard practice.

To this point I would like to thank each individuals who have contributed towards
drafting, commenting and finalization of this handbook.

Special thanks to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for the support and ensure
this book is being printed and circulated to targeted audience.

Last but not least, Pharmacy Council Management is acknowledged for constructive
comments and inputs during deliberation and approval this Code of Ethics and
Professional Conduct.

Dr. Romuald Mbwasi

Chairman of the Council
Pharmacy Council

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 FOREWORD
In Tanzania the Pharmacy profession continues to grow and roles pharmaceutical
personnel increases, with the increasing number of pharmaceutical personnel and their
roles, there was a concern about the need to have standard Codes of ethics and
professional conduct in pharmacy profession. These principles are intended to capture
the philosophical foundation of pharmacy practice and to express the responsibilities
and professional values that are fundamental and inherent to the pharmacy profession.

Any profession is distinguished by the willingness of individual practitioners to comply

with ethical and professional standards, which exceed minimum legal requirements. It is
therefore anticipated that pharmaceutical personnel will strive to comply to professional
standards as stipulated under this Code of Ethics so as to ensure quality
pharmaceutical care services are provided and ultimately promote and improve public
health. Furthermore; a code will be used as a tool to encourage discussions among
stakeholders when deal with ethical dilemma that encounter in everyday work; It will
also offer an invaluable opportunity for a profession to create a positive public identity
which can lead to a more improved working environment to a professionals and
increased level of public confidence and trust among important constituents and
stakeholders.

This Code of Ethics will be revised regularly to respond on the information gathered
from its utilization. I therefore encourage all users and the public at large to provide
comments and inputs at any time.

Elizabeth Shekalaghe
Registrar, Pharmacy Council

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 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
Pharmaceutical personnel - as per this Code of Ethics and Professional conduct
means registered pharmacist, enrolled pharmaceutical technician, enlisted
pharmaceutical assistant and intern pharmacist.
Pharmacist – means a person registered under section 16 as per Pharmacy Act, Cap
311.
Pharmaceutical Technician – means a person enrolled under section 24 as per
Pharmacy Act, Cap 311.
Pharmaceutical Assistants – means a person enlisted under section 28 as per
Pharmacy Act, Cap 311.
Intern Pharmacist – means any person registered as such under section 17 as per
Pharmacy Act, Cap 311.
Professional misconduct - means any conduct, which is in breach of the Code of
Conduct, prescribed under the Pharmacy Act, Cap 311.
Pharmacy Practice - means any acts pertaining to the scope of practice of a
pharmacist, pharmaceutical technician or pharmaceutical assistant as approved by the
Council.
Professionalism - is active demonstration of the following traits: Knowledge and Skills
of a profession, Commitment to self-improvement of skills and knowledge, Service
orientation, Pride in the profession, Collaborative relationship, Creativity and innovation,
Conscience and Trustworthiness, Accountability for his/her work, ethically sound
decision making and Leadership.

Pharmacy Council - is a body corporate established under Section 3 of the Pharmacy

Act, Cap 311.
Breaches - means an act of breaking, violating or disregarding any obligation of code
of ethics and professional conduct.

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 BACKGROUND
A profession is distinguished by the willingness of individual practitioners to comply with
ethical and professional standards, which exceed minimum legal requirements. The role
of pharmaceutical personnel is developing and recognized as the expert on medicines
within the overall health system, to ensure people maintain good health, through
responsible use of medicines.

To practice as pharmaceutical personnel means undertaking any role, whether

remunerated or not, in which an individual uses his professional skills and knowledge.
Pharmaceutical practice are not restricted to the provision of direct clinical care, but also
include working in a non-clinical relationship with consumers, patients or care takers, in
the discovery, development, manufacturing of medicines, in maintaining the supply
chain or in procurement. Besides this, pharmaceutical management or administrations,
in education, research, advisory, regulatory, or policy development roles are considered
to be important role to this cadre.

The code of ethics will therefore apply to pharmaceutical personnel in all pharmacy
practice settings. At all times, Codes should strive to provide the best possible care for
consumers, patients and care-takers, with due regard for the limitations of available
resources and the principles of equity and justice.

These Codes of Ethics and Professional Conduct for pharmaceutical personnel

therefore are intend to reaffirm and state publicly the obligations that form the basis of
the roles and responsibilities of pharmaceutical personnel. These obligations that based
on established ethical principles are provided to enable and guide pharmaceutical
personnel in their daily practice of the profession.

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 CODE OF ETHICS
The principles of the Code of Ethics are intended to capture the philosophical
foundation of pharmacy practice and to express the responsibilities and professional
values that are fundamental and inherent to the pharmacy profession. The Codes reflect
and support development in the profession, patient-centered practice and take into
consideration patients’ rights and responsibilities.

There may be obligations or situations that are not expressly provided for, but
pharmaceutical personnel will still be required to meet all the implied requirements of
ethical practice.

• For those entering the profession, the code identifies the basic moral
commitments of pharmacy care and serves as a source of education and
reflection.

• For those within the profession, the code serves as a basis for pharmaceutical
personnel to monitor their own ethical conduct and that of their colleagues.

• For those outside the profession, the code provides guidance for assessing the
minimum ethical conduct expected from pharmaceutical personnel.

This Codes of Ethics and Professional Conduct was prescribed under Section 38 of the
Pharmacy Act cap 311 in order for the Pharmaceutical personnel to adhere to the
mission and vision of the pharmacy profession.

Code of Ethics within the meaning of the Pharmacy Act, Cap 311 comprises of two
parts; CODES or PRINCIPLES and OBLIGATIONS. The Codes express the broad
ideas of pharmacy practice, while obligations spell out what a value requires under
particular circumstance. Which set out the fundamental duties that apply to all
pharmaceutical personnel.

The Code deals with the ethics rather than the laws governing pharmacy practice. Laws
and ethics of health care necessarily overlap considerably, since both shares the
concern that the conduct of healthcare professionals reflects respect for the well-being,
dignity and self determination of patients.

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Adoption of the code represents a conscious undertaking on the part of the members of
the pharmacy profession to be responsible for practicing in accordance with the
expressed principles (values and obligations).

Pharmaceutical personnel are obliged to bring a breach of the Code of Ethics to the
attention of the Registrar and must do so in good faith. A breach of code of Ethics could
form the basis of a complaint of the misconduct.

OATH
An Oath of allegiance and the Code of Ethics constitute the formal declarations of ethics
of pharmacy profession. Swearing an oath is symbolically a formal step in the
professional socialization process.

Oath of a Pharmacist.
“At this time, I vow to devote my professional life to the service of mankind
through the profession of pharmacy. I will consider the welfare of humanity and
relief of human suffering my primary concerns. I will use my knowledge and
skills to the best of my ability in serving the public and other health
professionals.
I will do my best to keep abreast of developments and maintain professional
competence in my profession of pharmacy. I will obey laws governing the
practice of pharmacy and will support enforcement of such laws. I will maintain
the highest standards of moral and ethical conduct. I take these vows voluntarily
with the full realization of the trust and responsibility with which I am empowered
by the public”.

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 ETHICAL PROBLEMS:
Situations often arise that present ethical problems for pharmaceutical personnel in their
practice. These situations may fall but not limited to the following categories:
(a) Ethical violations involving the negligence of moral obligations of failure to
provide competent pharmaceutical services.
(b) Ethical dilemmas arise where ethical reasons both for and against a particular
course of action are present and one option must be selected.
(c) Ethical distress occurs when pharmaceutical personnel experience the
imposition of practices that provoke feeling of guilt, concern or distaste.

Therefore the code tries to provide guidance for those pharmaceutical personnel who
face ethical problems. Hence the Code should lead to better decision-making when
ethical problems are encountered.

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 CODES
The principles or Code and their supporting explanations and obligations form the basis
for the provision of a consistent high quality professional service which safeguards and
promotes the well-being of the community and maintains public confidence in the
profession. The principles are equally important and are listed in no particular order.

As pharmaceutical personnel:
1. Must have regard for human life
2. Must honor and dignify the profession
3. Should ensure availability of safe, efficacious and quality medicines.
4. Should Ensure access to essential medicines
5. Should promote and ensure rational use of medicines
6. Should have good pharmaceutical personnel – patient/clients relationship
7. Must ensure privacy and confidentiality
8. Should be competent and have a lifelong learning
9. Should have good pharmaceutical personnel-other health care providers
relationship
10. Must ensure well-being of the community

GENERAL OBLIGATION
In the areas of practice pharmaceutical personnel must promote, develop, implement
and maintain policies, laws, regulations and standard guidelines that are designed to
ensure provision of quality pharmaceutical care services.

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CODE ONE: REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE
Pharmacy profession aspires to improve the quality of human life through the provision
of medicines and related services. Therefore, pharmaceutical personnel have the
highest regard for human life and are dedicated to increasing opportunities for
individuals to enjoy the full benefits of healthy lives within the limits of their natural
endowments.

Obligations:
(i) Induction or inhibition of gestation:
A pharmaceutical personnel must not:
a. Provide contraceptives to under-aged persons, or any other persons legally
incapable of making independent decisions, without involving medical
practitioner, their parents or legal guardians in the decision making process.
b. Provide medicines for the purposes of inducing illegal abortion.

(ii) Growth, development and performance enhancer:

A pharmaceutical personnel must:
a. Disregard the use of performance enhancing, growth and sexual stimulants
drugs without medical supervision.
b. Disregard the use of medicines that are intended to modify the physical,
mental or psychological personality of a person.

(iii) Termination of life:

A pharmaceutical personnel must not:
a. Supply medicines for any criminal termination of human life and should take
reasonable precaution against those who intend to procure medicines for
such purpose.
b. Support the use of medicines in any act of voluntary euthanasia.
c. Participate in any act or scheme designed to cause mass annihilation or
suffering of other human beings.

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CODE TWO: HONOR AND DIGNITY OF PROFESSION
Pharmaceutical personnel by virtue of their mission are health care providers and
therefore derive much respect from the community. They are also respected by
other health care workers as experts on medicines and as a reputable source of
information. Therefore, pharmaceutical personnel rightfully regard and should
portray themselves as responsible persons specialized on medicine activity, use and
custodians. They uphold the honor and dignity of the profession and do not engage
in any activity that may bring their profession into disrepute.

Obligations:
(i) Adherence to the law:
A pharmaceutical personnel must :
a. Observe the provision of the Pharmacy Act, Cap 311 and Tanzania Food,
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 2003 and other related laws.
b. Ensure the observance of all legal and professional requirements in relation
to pharmaceutical aspect of the business.
c. Ensure there is no any breach of the law, whether or not directly related to
pharmacy professional practice, which may bring the profession into
disrepute, if happens it may be considered to be misconduct.

(ii) Allegiance to the profession:

A pharmaceutical personnel should:
a. Play his part in providing the best services and should avoid any act or
omission that could prejudice the public or impair confidence in the
pharmaceutical profession as a whole.
b. Have due regard for the reasonably accepted standards of behaviour both
within and outside his professional practice.
c. Not use or permit the use of his qualifications or position to mislead or
defraud.
d. Not agree to practice under terms or conditions that interfere with or impair
the proper exercise of professional judgment and skill that cause deterioration
of the quality of professional services, or require consent of unethical conduct.

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(iii) Relation with other pharmaceutical personnel:
A pharmaceutical personnel:
a. When appropriate demonstrates willingness at all times to provide advice
and support to colleagues.
b. Should actively be involved with his professional organization in the
provision of training, coaching and mentoring.
c. Should refrain from publicly criticizing colleagues or their actions, exercising
discretion in relation to all professional matters.

CODE THREE: AVAILABILITY OF SAFE, EFFICACIOUS AND QUALITY

MEDICINES
Pharmaceutical personnel are involved in all activities that lead to the availability of
medicines to patients: These activities include research, training, manufacture,
supply chain, regulatory, advisory, policy development, prescribing and dispensing.
Pharmaceutical personnel must ensure that the medicines are safe, efficacious and
of good quality and his professional services is available all the time.

Obligations:
A pharmaceutical personnel:
a. While assuring the safety, efficacy and quality of medicines under his
charge, must acts with all honesty, integrity and concern for the patient.
b. In any practice must ensure compliance, with all professional and ethical
requirements for conducting his professional roles in the respective
Authorities.
c. Should not collude with any person to perform acts specifically pertaining to
the profession of pharmacy, which have negative implications to the
professional, patients and public in general.
d. Must not withhold any information relating to the efficacy, safety or quality of
any medicine or method of practice whenever required to do so by a
Governing Authority.
e. Must condone any act by a fellow pharmaceutical personnel, another
healthcare professional or any other person that withholds information on
safety, efficacy or quality of any medicine or method of practice.
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 f. Must not make false or unjustified claims as to the efficacy, safety or quality
of any medicine.
g. Should not enter into any agreement with a medical practitioner, other
healthcare worker or any other person that put in danger the right of the
patient to the most appropriate medicines.
h. Should only offer advice on homoepathic or herbal medicines or other
complementary therapies or medicines if he has undertaken suitable
training or have specialized knowledge.

CODE FOUR: ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL MEDICINES

Equitable access to essential medicines is a major concern to pharmaceutical
personnel. There are patients who cannot afford medicines they need, therefore a
pharmaceutical personnel should promote the use of cost effective therapies and
discourage the purchase or use of non-essential products.

Obligations:
A pharmaceutical personnel:
a. Should not participate in any scheme designed to profit him or his
partner(s)/employer by sacrificing the quality of medicines or the well-being
of the patient.
b. Should assist patients to make choices about their own best interests.
c. Has a professional obligation in ensuring that the patient is provided with the
right, cost effective and safe therapies.
d. Should facilitate access of medicines to the patients without showing
personal interest.
e. Beyond any reasonable doubt and for the interest of the well-being of the
patient may establish repeat medical services, however must guard against
any possible misuse of such services.

CODE FIVE: PROMOTE RATIONAL USE OF MEDICINES

Technical, legal, social-cultural restrictions and lack of awareness prevent many
clients to access medicines they need and therefore are major concern of
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pharmaceutical personnel. However, pharmaceutical personnel should only
participate in promoting methods and campaigns that encourage rational use of
medicines so as to prevent unnecessary effects that may occur on use of medicines.

Obligations:
A pharmaceutical personnel:
a. Must ensure all information and publicity for medicines and services are
legal, decent and truthful; Be presented and distributed in a manner so as
not to bring the profession into disrepute; and not to abuse the trust or
exploit the lack of knowledge of the public.
b. Must guarantee that information and promotional material relating to
professional services comply with the role of pharmaceutical personnel as
skilled and informed advisers about medicines, common ailments general
healthcare and well-being.
c. During promotion must present so as to allow the client to decide
independently whether or not to use a service and should not disparage the
professional services of other pharmacies or pharmaceutical personnel.
d. Must not make any solicited approach, for promotion of medicines to a
member of the public by any means of communication.
e. May display the prices at which they sell medicines.
f. Shall not deviate from the prescriber’s instructions when dispensing, except
when necessary to protect the patient.

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CODE SIX: PHARMACEUTICAL PERSONNEL – PATIENT RELATIONSHIP
Pharmaceutical personnel’s establish and maintain a unique relationship with each
patient that is based on an ethical covenant. The word “covenant” means that
Pharmaceutical personnel have moral obligations in return for the trust given to
them by society. Pharmaceutical personnel’s encourage shared responsibility for
adherence to medication regimens and achieving desired drug therapy outcomes.
This principle implies that the best pharmaceutical service, no matter how provided it
occurs where the opportunity exists for direct contact between patient and
pharmaceutical personnel.

Obligations:
A pharmaceutical personnel:
a. Has a duty to tell the truth, to act with conviction of conscience, and to avoid
discriminatory practices and behavior.
b. Should try to have a direct contact and communication with patient as a
person in the process of providing pharmaceutical care services.
c. Must be aware that individual patients have a right, under data protection
legislation, to access his records.
d. Must assist patients in their expression of needs and values, and should
recognize their rights, but not prejudiced by, factors such as patient’s race,
ethnic origin, culture, belief, social and marital status, gender, sexual
orientation, age, or health status.

CODE SEVEN: PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

The pharmaceutical personnel preserves the confidentiality of information about
individual patients acquired in the course of his professional practice and does not
divulge this information except where authorized by the patient or required by law.
Pharmaceutical personnel protect their patients by serving them in a private and
confidential manner. Pharmaceutical personnel should not divulge information that
identifies the patients; except in instances where there is a compelling need as for
professional judgment grounds, to share information in order to protect the patient
from harm, or where authorized by the patient or required by law.

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 Obligations:
A pharmaceutical personnel:
a. Must provide pharmaceutical care services with consideration for the
personal privacy of patients.
b. Must ensure affirmative duties exist to institute and maintain practice that
protects patient confidentiality.
c. Should make sure where appropriate, reveals to the patient the boundaries
of professional confidentiality. Pharmacy care may require that other health
care personnel have access to or be provided with relevant information.
Whenever possible, the patient should be informed, and generally, it is up to
the patient to determine who should be informed and what personal
information should be released.
d. When is confronted with the necessity to disclose, confidentiality should be
preserved as much as possible. Both the amount of information disclosed
and those to whom the disclosure is made should be restricted only to that
information which is necessary.
e. Must ensure that electronic and manual systems, which include patient
specific information, incorporate access control systems to minimize the risk
of unauthorized access to the data.
f. May recognize the patient’s family member of choice, and with patient’s
consents attempts to facilitate, where appropriate the participation of others
should be allowed in the care of the patient.

CODE EIGHT: COMPETENCE AND LIFE LONG LEARNING

Pharmaceutical personnel’s should take responsibility to maintain their own
competence and strive always to perfect and enhance their professional knowledge.

Obligations:
A pharmaceutical personnel:
a. Must commit himself to lifelong learning designed to maintain relevant
knowledge, skills and attitude in order to execute its duties, development or
improvement and audits their performance as part of the review.

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 b. Should be professionally competent and abreast of the latest developments
in the area which associated with his functions and scope of practice.
c. Must undertake a minimum of hours continuing education structured to meet
their personal needs, and be able to provide evidence when required.

CODE NINE: PHARMACEUTICAL PRACTITIONER-OTHER HEALTH CARE

PROVIDERS RELATIONSHIP
Close professional cooperation between pharmaceutical personnel and other health
care providers is encouraged to achieve the best possible outcomes for the patient.
Therefore, Pharmaceutical personnel’s should maintain an effective professional
relationship with other health care providers and respect their abilities, opinions and
achievements.

Obligations:
A pharmaceutical personnel:
a. Should refrain from publicly criticizing other health professionals or their
actions, exercising discretion in relation to all health matters.
b. Should as much as possible maintain an effective communication with other
health professionals
c. Must share information relating to the efficacy, safety or quality of any
medicine or method of practice with other health care professionals.
d. Must corporate with other health professionals in matters relating to health
care.

CODE TEN: WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY

Pharmaceutical personnel understand that the well-being of the community rests
on the good health of individuals that make it. He should promote healthy lifestyles,
hygiene and provide health care services that promote individual’s health. Also they
should lead lives that are exemplary to the rest of the community.

Obligations:
A pharmaceutical personnel:

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a. Must promote, develop, implement and maintain policies which are
designed to prevent ill health and to promote healthy lifestyle of the
community.
b. Has a professional obligation to exercise control over all medicinal and
related products that are manufactured, purchased or supplied so that they
are safe, efficacious and of good quality.
c. Must not condone the use and abuse of drugs or any other substance that
can induce changes in the personality of a person.
d. Shall not sell in a pharmacy products such as tobacco, liquor and related
products except when meant for medicinal purposes.
e. Must take sufficiently reasonable steps to ensure that working conditions
are so arranged so as to protect the safety of the public and people working
in the premises.
f. Must ensure that the external and internal appearance of community
pharmacy and hospital pharmacy are dignified, reflects the professional
nature of pharmacy and inspires confidence in the nature of healthcare it
provides as stipulated under the Pharmacy Act, Cap 311 and its regulations.
g. Should ensure that before providing diagnostic testing and health screening
services they must comply with standards and all other concerned strive.
h. Should have completed the training required to ensure competency with the
diagnostic services, equipments and procedures to be used in the
interpretation of results and must be aware of limits of the test provided.
i. Engages in dialogue with patients, provides public education to community
groups and seeks opportunities to advocate for health promotion to benefit
society as a whole.

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